Why Brazil and Argentina fans are fighting in the streets of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to 170 million people, but their national soccer team didn't make it to the 2026 World Cup. Even so, the streets are covered with colorful flags from Brazil and Argentina. These passionate fans love foreign teams so much that they sometimes fight each other over which country is better. The excitement happens every four years when the World Cup takes place.

Soccer fans have been busy since May putting up huge flags to show support for their favorite teams. People are buying jerseys that cost about $4 each from sports stores in the capital city, Dhaka. Giant cutouts of famous player Lionel Messi have appeared outside homes and buildings. This is one of the few times when people in Bangladesh celebrate other countries instead of their own.

The love for Brazil and Argentina has been passed down through families for many years. Neither of these South American countries has special connections to Bangladesh. But the fans don't care about that. Earlier this month, dozens of people got hurt when Brazil and Argentina supporters fought after a local soccer game.

Other countries sometimes get attention too. A 72-year-old man named Amjad Hossian made news by creating a German flag that was 4.7 miles long. He sold some of his land to pay for the materials. His dream is that a museum in Germany will display his giant flag.

The upcoming World Cup will be the biggest ever with 48 teams playing 104 games. The matches will happen in the United States, Mexico, and Canada until July 19. FIFA and Argentine players noticed how much Bangladeshi fans supported them in 2022. They were amazed that people living 10,500 miles away cared so much about their team.

Soccer came to this region when the British brought it in the 1800s. In the 1960s and 1970s, young people in Bangladesh were looking for heroes during difficult political times. They found inspiration in Brazil's amazing team and player Pelé. Television became more common in the 1980s, and the 1986 World Cup was the first time many people saw the tournament in color.

Unfortunately, the excitement has led to tragic accidents and violence. In 2022, 23 people died during fights between rival fan groups. In 2014, three people died while trying to hang flags on electrical wires. These incidents show how passionate but also how risky the celebrations can become.